Template:Jmol application instructions


 * Put Jmol.jar in your working folder: Create a folder (directory) on your computer in which to work. Go to Jmol.Org, select Download (upper right), go to the Jmol Downloads Page, and download the current version as a binary.zip file. Unzip the file (this is automatic on Macs), and copy the file Jmol.jar (one of a large number of files in the zipped download). This is the Jmol application. Paste it into your working folder.


 * Free java memory if your project involves large molecules or assemblies. This is not necessary if your molecule(s) are modest in size (up to ~30,000 atoms). If you skip this step and Jmol gives you an "Out Of Memory" error, then come back and do this step. Close any java-based programs. Close all browser windows or tabs that contain the Jmol applet. Close the Jmol application. You can check Jmol's java memory usage by clicking on Jmol (in either the applet or the application), then on the main menu, About, System.
 * Alternatively, or if you still get an Out Of Memory error, you can give Jmol more memory to work with.


 * Run the Jmol application: Double-click Jmol.jar in your working folder, and a black window will appear titled "Jmol".


 * Open the Jmol Script Console: If the white "Jmol Script Console" window does not appear, use Jmol's File menu (at the top), Console to open it. Now you are ready to enter commands (see the Jmol Interactive Scripting Manual).


 * Copying and pasting: To copy or paste commands in the white Jmol Script Console window, use Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V, even if working on an Apple Mac OS X!. In java windows, the usual Apple Cmd-C and Cmd-V don't work! You can also select blocks of text with your mouse, then drag and drop them.